Comments Off on How big data and behavioral science boost energy efficiency

The vast majority of people are willing to do the right thing if given the chance, especially when it comes to preserving the planet for future generations. The challenge is empowering people with the tools and knowledge to make better purchasing decisions for energy-efficient products. Figuring out how to engage the consumer market, which spends $1 billion on energy-consuming products per year in the U.S. alone, is where Enervee comes in.

Comments Off on VW’s electric BUDD-e van revives the iconic Microbus with a 373-mile driving range

In the early 2000’s Volkswagen teased Microbus fans with the prospect of launching an all-electric VW van . That dream just got a whole lot closer, as Volkswagen has unveiled a modern take on its iconic microbus at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The new BUDD-e has an estimated driving range of 373 miles on a single charge, and its battery can recharge up to 80% in 20 minutes flat. Read the rest of VW’s electric BUDD-e van revives the iconic Microbus with a 373-mile driving range

Comments Off on A new kind of glass could create nex-gen OLEDs and solar cells

Representative solar cell For a long time, one of the key defining factors of glasses has been their molecular randomness; but when a team at the University of Chicago , led by Professor Juan de Pablo, were analyzing a glass that they had grown in their lab they saw unusual peaks in “what should have been featureless optical data.” Initially they thought the peaks the result of an error in their calculations, but instead the team found that the particular technique they had used to make the glass had enabled them to control the organization of the molecules. It might sound like a small thing, but the capacity to tune the orientation of molecules in glass, which improves the density and thermal stability of the material, could be a breakthrough to improving organic electronic devices, such as LEDs and solar cells. Read the rest of A new kind of glass could create nex-gen OLEDs and solar cells

Comments Off on Google is looking for longer lasting batteries, according to WSJ

The search for better batteries continues. It seems like every tech company from Apple to Tesla and now Google is constantly on the prowl for the key to longer battery life . Now, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal , Google X’s research lab has a small, four-man team looking at how to advance lithium-ion (Li-ion) technology. Apparently, they are also trying to find solid-state battery technology that is both reasonably priced and can be mass produced for use in consumer electronics. Read the rest of Google is looking for longer lasting batteries, according to WSJ Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: apple batteries , battery development , consumer electronics , extended battery life , google batteries , google electronics , google solid state batteries , lithium-ion batteries , solid state batteries , Tesla batteries